She is known to many as the “Queen of Zin” and last Saturday I was able to celebrate a decade of Carol Shelton Wines with her at her open house. RockPile being my favorite appellation, I was very excited to attend this event after learning a few of her wines come from the RockPile appellation. Carol Shelton’s RockPile grapes are grown 2000 feet. above Lake Sonoma and the Dry Creek Valley. This Rocky Reserve is a blend of 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah. At this open house I was able to taste a vertical of this RockPile Zinfandel from the year 2000 to her soon to be released ‘07. Like all RockPile wines this Zinfandel is highly structured and complex in flavors. This by far one of the best Zinfandel I have had. I love this Zinfandel because it’s robust, rich with flavors and yet not too sweet or jammy. Strong aromas of berries, must, and soil. First tasting of dry unsweetened black berries then ending with an earthy, oak cream finish. It definitely does not surprise me that Carol Shelton has been honored “Winemaker of the Year” numerous times. This Zinfandel comes highly recommended! Other RockPile wines that she makes that were also excellent were her Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.